I have a painful burning sensation when passing water

Urethritis is a troublesome condition and can be due to sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, although non-specific urethritis....

22/09/2014

Question

I am having problems passing water because I get a painful burning sensation.

I have to go to the toilet every five minutes.

Answer

I am really sorry to hear about this problem. I will explain what I think is going on and why you must go and see your doctor, even if the symptoms are a bit easier.

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The cause of these symptoms is almost certainly an infection. This might be a urinary tract infection, in the bladder or kidneys, or it might be in the urethra, that is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside via the penis – this is called urethritis.

Urinary tract infections are unusual in young men, and they need investigation, and of course treatment with an antibiotic to relieve the symptoms.

Urethritis is a troublesome condition and can be due to sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, although non-specific urethritis is more common.

If you think this could be a sexually transmitted disease, then you can go straight to the genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic of any hospital without an appointment, where you will be treated in strict confidence.

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